The Long Awaited Gift

[PickleChiffon]

Ruksanna could tell the Night Dragon was frustrated by her. Though, she didn’t know what to do. Would he rather she had been callous and chose death to one or the other race? She bit at her lower lip, forcing herself not to cry at the impossibility of the situation. She barely processed Zarx’s mention of hybrids, as she tried to calm herself and not cry in front of this strong impressive beast.

She felt though, the condescending look he gave her, before asking her if she understood she was his slave. Ruksanna moistened her lips, raised her eyes back to his and answered him in his own tongue.

“I understand I am bound to you from now to eternity, and I will do your bidding.” She bowed her head after she finished speaking. Her mind was on fire with possibilities. She was his now, and forever. Though that shouldn’t spark a fire in her heart, it did. For so long she had wanted to belong, now she would have it. Granted, this was not how she wished for such an outcome, but the opportunity to be so close to him, a king among Dragons, was fascinating. Her mother had always said her curiosity would get her into danger.

She rose to her full height, and looked at him again. Her shoulders were set back, a determined jut to her chin. She would make him proud, and turn the distain in his large eyes into something other than distaste.

Ruksanna wrapped her arms about herself rubbing her arms, trying to retain her body heat. The wind had picked up, and whether it was the chill in Zarx’s eyes or the cold nip in the air, she was fast turning into an icicle.

 

[Christmasnightmare]

Zarx thought this humans determination and courage was something to both fear and consider to be valuable. Humans were extremely dangerous as they grew brave and fearless. Though Zarx had nothing to worry about, he feared for the many young that lay defenseless within their upon the island. Deep within the core of the island where Zarx held his lair.

Zarx turned his large head to the side as he hunched himself down. Low enough for the human female to climb upon his back. Waiting patiently for her, watching her form the corner of his eyes impatience clearly visible within his eyes, for Zarx was in great haste. The Night Dragon would need to deal with the human ships that sailed toward the islands. He’d have to make an example of a few of the ships to warn the others. A task he clearly did not find enjoyable but one needed finished never the less.

Zarx was hoping to persuade the humans without having to take dramatic actions. Hoping that the Princess could come to an agreement, for she was the Ambassador between human and Dragon, taking the role with her oath which meant the fate of hundreds of human lives would depend upon her. Ruksanna’s ultimate key within the war would have to wait until the intimate threat was resolved. Zarx had lived long enough to know leaving a threat unattended resulted in the destruction of cherished loved ones.

Zarx began spreading his large thin wings as he began to feel the earth beneath his claws. Pushing upon it, caressing it, giving his silent thanks and appreciation as he waited for the female, though to her eyes it would seem as if Zarx was preparing to launch himself off of the earth as soon as she got into position which wasn’t the case, although Zarx was not going to say differently.

 

[PickleChiffon]

Ruksanna watched as Zarx crouched down, offering his back to her. She climbed into the hollow that seemed a natural fit between his shoulder blades. She sat crouching, and straddling at the same time, her hands gripping the hard scales between her hands. Under her legs, she could feel the powerful moments of his muscles as he prepared for flight.

Her heart was racing.

She hoped she had the capacity to avoid the confrontation that seemed so inevitable. While there was no love lost between herself and her father, especially now that she knew he had tracked her, the men who followed him did not deserve to die because they had chosen to blindly follow their leader. She gently let her fingers stroke his scales as she felt him dig into the ground. Ruksanna shivered slightly as his wings flexed, and her grip tightened on him in anticipation of the flight. Remembering her lessons, and how Dragon’s generally gave Thanks before taking flight into battle, she herself recited a soft prayer in his language.

“Earth, thank you for keeping us strong, and offering your protection. Wind, please guide our wings to a swift and successful victory. Water, the source of life, grace us with your favour.” Her words were soft in his tongue, but the simple battle prayer was one she had learned and memorised early in her education on Dragons.

Gently she tensed her legs as his massive body shifted. She was going to be a rider, and somewhere under the nervousness of her heart, the child who loved these mystical animals was ecstatic with the opportunity.

 

[Christmasnightmare]

Zarx did not comment to Ruksanna’s chant, or prayer whichever the case may be. Instead Zarx lowered himself lower to the Earth before pushing his upper half upward hard causing the earth to rumble beneath his claws. Large snow piles fell from the branches they rested upon, rabbits and mice dived for their burrows, as the remaining winter animals dashed in many directions from the source of the tremors.

The hefty push left Zarx standing upon his hind legs for a few seconds as he flapped his large wings keeping himself balanced. Arching his body in a way as to not knock Ruksanna off of himself, as he held himself still a moment upon his hind legs giving Ruksanna time to adjust herself. Right before seemingly jumping from the earth into the sky’s embrace, leaving hard tremors in his wake.

It didn’t take long for Zarx to grow accustomed to Ruksanna’s presence upon his back, between his shoulder blades. Though he knew she’d be feeling the rhythm caused by his moving wings. Feeling the gently breeze that moved between them as they acted like rows within water, keeping his large body afloat within the Sky, which was much like an vast ocean.

Zarx admitted enough body heat to keep Ruksanna from feeling the effects of the cold chilled air as it blew into her harshly as Zarx took off within the direction of the said ships. Zarx gained speed and altitude as he flew. The harsh winds growing colder the higher they ascended. Yet, the cold winds could not compare to the feeling of actually flight. The seer feeling of freedom and weightless, the sights of the tiny islands below, or the fluffy white clouds the seemed to descend downward to greet Ruksanna.

Zarx already knew it wouldn’t take very long to reach the human ships, which Is why he decided to take a slower route. Zarx choose to ride a slower wind current that allowed him to position himself higher within the night sky. So Ruksanna could get a better view of the night sky, the clouds, and the vast ocean below themselves. Giving her plenty of time to absorb the entire experience before deciding low enough to spot the human ships, hidden high above, Zarx was hidden from the humans view but was unsure wither or not the Princess would be able to spot the shit her father sailed upon.

Turning his head towards Ruksanna, Zarx asked her if she could see the ships from where they flew. They were a good distance still, and he doubted she could see them as well as he could. He also knew it’d be difficult for her to hear him clearly due to the rushing winds blasting her ears.

 

[PickleChiffon]

Ruksanna nearly missed Zarx’s question. Then she heard his voice in her mind, as clear as day, the vibration of it emanating from her bones it seemed. She craned her neck looking down over his shoulder. She couldn’t see anything yet, the inky black of the sea was unmarred in her vision. Leaning into his long neck she spoke low, so the vibration could be transferred between their bodies.

“I don’t see them yet,” she said in his tongue.

She had no idea what was going to happen once the ships came into view, but she knew he’d have to make an example out of them. She closed her eyes. For a moment the sensation of flying, overwhelmed her.

The caress of the wind against her skin was like nothing she’d ever imagined. This was so different being astride his back, than being in the stone carriage he had brought her to his home in. This was amazing. She tossed her hair into the wind, letting the breeze tease and play with it, before she hunkered back close to his body, looking out over his shoulder.

As they flew, she began to see darker blots in the water below, slight pricks of light on them, the only identifier of something more than just a rock or island.

“Zarx, I can see them,” she softly whispered, her heart was racing. The confrontation was nigh.

 

[Christmasnightmare]

Zarx’s began to descend when Ruksanna mentioned that she could see the human ships. Zarx could see the large ship that was much more vast than the others sailing with brightly colored flags. Zarx noticed that the main ship was made of an ancient wood which no doubt held magical properties. There were few ancient forests within the world and they were fiercely guarded and protected by the Astic race. Which viewed the ancient tree’s as sacred. The King had no doubt invaded the Astic’s forest or had offered them something in return for the ancient tree’s they held dear.

The world of humans seemed to be spreading across the lands. Destroying everything ancient and magical within the world, In their pursuit for power. Which was why they had tried finding the dragon’s breeding grounds, for those who controlled the young controlled the future.

The sailing ships would not notice Zarx as he glided through the air so effortlessly. They would not be able to see the large dragon as drew closer to their decks. He positioned himself in a way so that Ruksanna could jump onto the moving vessel. He would than ascend towards the sky afterwards to watch from above. He was prepared for any trouble that could arise from Ruksanna suddenly appearing upon the ship as if from nowhere.

Zarx wasn’t too concerned about Ruksanna but he was prepared to do anything within his power to keep the female safe. She was a tool to meet an end, she would be the breeder that produced the new race of humans that would replace the old. Even if she did not know It, the dragons were prepared to wipe the entire human race from existence but Zarx had persuaded them to reconsider. Which is why he was given the task of finding a human female to create the new breed, if they humans would not give up their pursuit for power, then they would have no other choice.

The Goddess had long since moved on from their realm, and so they had to make a path of their own. Zarx just hoped it was the right one.

 

[PickleChiffon]

As Zarax dipped towards the lead ship, Ruksanna’s heart raced. Please let them listen, please. In a moment he drew abreast the ship, and she got ready to jump.
She landed hard on the prow of the ship, slightly elevated from the rest of the crew and in plain sight of the captain of the vessel. She heard the collective gasp rise from the men on board as she became visible to them, having magically appeared.

“I am Ruksanna, daughter of the King of Loiren.” Her voice was clear and strong as she spoke. Her name causing even more of a ripple of discomfort about the men than her sudden appearance.

“I am the blood payment to the lord of the Dragons for the truce that was settled hundreds of years ago. Your presence here is in direct conflict with that treaty. Leave, leave now and your men will be spared; they can go home to their wives, their children and watch them grow old. Stay and the Dragon’s will have no choice but to eliminate you all. As the first born of the King of Loiren, I command you back to where hence you came.” Ruksanna made eye contact with as many men as she could on the ships deck. They had to understand if they stayed they would all die.

“Honour your kingdom, and the word of the pervious kings of Loiren, the ones who held this peace so that your great grandfathers could live.” Ruksanna held her breath as she locked gazes with the Captain of the ship. He was the grand Admiral in her father’s fleet, she’d known him since she was a child. He had twins at home, boys and a girl several years younger, all who needed their father.

“Please,” she said softly, looking directly at him. “Turn back, as your Queen, I am commanding it, but as a friend, begging you.” She saw the slight nod of his head, before something was said to his second. Within moments the commander had ducked into the ships officer’s quarters.
Ruksanna looked up to the sky. She could see Zarx, the dark shape of his body against the starlit sky. He looked so graceful, her heart longing to be astride him again, feeling the wind in her hair.

“Tell my father to keep to his word, else he risks the wrath of the Dragons. They will not be swayed the next time.”